Let's Talk Baby Stuff!

Travelling with little ones is something that can seem quite daunting, but I’ve pulled together some of my tips and tricks for making a little vacation seem much easier!  My kids and I travel often – we’ve taken a 15 month old on a 12 hour flight and I’d do it again tomorrow.  A little extra planning goes a long way, as does knowing a few little tricks to make the airport experience a bit smoother.  Please feel free to comment at the end with your travel techniques – we are always looking for new ways to conquer traveling with toddlers!

• In general children under two can fly for free if they are sitting on your lap.  We havedone this many times and had no problems. In fact, most of the arm rests will push up between the seats so that you can have one large bench for your family.  Be aware that you can be asked to show proof of your child’s age.  It never hurts to keep a copy of their birthcertificate or passport with you.  Also,if you are flying internationally, you may not be required to buy your toddler a ticket; however, you will only be required to pay taxes and some small portion of a ticket.  (When we flew to Aruba last month we had to pay 10% of a ticket plus taxes for our 22 month old.)

• Airports often have separate security lines for people travelling with young children.  When you go through these lines, you will be able to take liquids thatyou might not be able to otherwise, such as baby formula, water, baby food,milk, or juice.  Security may ask to test
  the liquid, but this in no way contaminates your bottles.  Another bonus is that children under 12 are not required to remove their shoes when going through security.  This saves quite a bit of time!  Just be aware that you do have to put EVERYTHING else on the x-ray belt, including your stroller, so be sure to bring one that is easy to fold, unfold, and carry!

• Airline staff is extremely kind to travelers with children.  When arriving at the airport you can request that your family be moved to the bulk head seats to give you and your children some more room to roam.  If they are available they will frequently  move your seats with no additional charge.  Once, when the bulkhead wasn’t available, I was upgraded to first class for free so that I could have more room to nurse my baby.  On another flight, when my son was about 16 months old and I was on a 6 hour flight alone with him, the flight attendants snuck us meals from the first class cabin.

• Bring a large carry on bag – preferably one with wheels!  You never know what your childmight need during a flight – especially if it is a long one!  Pack extra clothes for you and your child (Ihave been thrown up on during more than one flight!), pack wipes – lots of
  them, pack snacks and entertainment for your kids.  I will usually run to the dollar store andstock up on lots of trinkets that they can play with on the plane or in the hotel room and that we can leave behind after.

There are so many more wonderful ideas floating around outthere about how to travel with children with ease.  These are just a few things that I have found out along the way that have been tremendously helpful to know.  I hope they help you as well and I’d love to hear how you make your travels a little bit easier. 

Happy Vacationing!!

I always feel the need to start with a disclosure.  I am not an expert, I am a mom.  I worry about my children all the time.  I wanted to share with you some of the best ways I have found to keep my kids safe in their play area, otherwise known as our living room.

Get Down on the Ground!

Yup, literally.  It is the best way I have found to find all of the little places that your child can get to and potentially hurt themselves.  I have a good friend whose heating system allowed her to actually place a bumper around the bottom of her walls.  (No baseboards in the way!)  She used the
crib bumpers from her son’s bedding to keep her little man from bonking his head into the walls when he was crawling.  She also lined her wood floors with those brightly colored foam squares.  It was stimulating to her developing toddler, and it kept him from having a hard fall.

If You Like it Then You Should’ve Put a Guard On it!

I don’t know about your children, but mine felt the need to teeth on everything they could get their little mouths around.  From the edge of our coffee table and TV stand, to the rail of their crib.  Obviously I didn’t love the look of our furniture with teeth marks in it, but what really scared me was what my kids were ingesting by eating the finish off of the wood.  It just seems a little scary to let them get little pieces of wood off – both because of choking hazards and the poison that is probably used to lacquer all of those things!  Yikes!  I found that many companies actually sell crib rail teethers and table edge and corner guards that your children can safely suck on without the worry of them getting a hunk and choking.

Outlets, Wires and Plugs, Oh My!

These are some of my biggest fears!  It is so important that each and every outlet that your child can get to is covered by an outlet plug!  If you have wires from your television or video game systems, coil them up and put them inside wire concealers or cord shorteners.  Cords lying around are not only a potential hazard for shocks, they are also extremely dangerous because of the risk of strangulation.  Additionally, if you have outlets that always have something plugged in to them, such as the television or other entertainment systems, be sure to use a plug cover.  Your child can be shocked very easily if they attempt to plug or unplug those wires.

Speaking of Cords…

You have heard it time and time again – children playing in the curtains or blinds and ending up with the cords around their necks.  The idea gives me goose bumps.  Such a normal household furnishing can become deathly so quickly!  After hearing one too many horror stories, we actually removed all of our shades with cords and purchased the blinds that you just push up and pull down and they stay somehow.  If you can’t avoid having cords, coil them up and tie them up way out of your little ones reach.

Test, Check & Recheck

No matter how long you spend baby proofing the first time you do it, you absolutely have to go back every so often and check that your safety measures are still intact.  It is unbelievable how smart toddlers are, especially when they want something. They will move furniture, climb to crazy heights, and squeeze their way into the smallest spaces to play with something that you don’t want them to.  As your child grows and discovers new things, you MUST make sure that you are still keeping them safe – whether that means rearranging furniture, hiding breakable objects, or using a play pen to confine them to a smaller, safer place.
I know it is impossible to have your eye on your kids 24/7 and this is not a complete list of all the ways you need to baby proof your home.  I struggle with that often, just with everyday necessities.  What is my daughter going to get in to if I run to the bathroom?  Can I leave my son and daughter long enough to make a cup of coffee?  Can I go get the mail and take a 2 minute breather without them getting hurt?  The answer is YES.  If you take the proper precautions, then you give yourself a little freedom to do those things that you just have to do
sometimes.  Just remember, they are quicker, smarter, and way more mischievous than they look.  Be one step ahead of them at all times, and
you all will be fine. 

For more tips on how to keep your home safe, check out www.cpsc.gov.

This post was written by Nancy Caron for ODIZ Baby Supply.  All of the words and opinions in this post are my own.  I am not a safety expert and do not claim to be.

ODIZ Baby Supply’s number one priority is our customers!  We are moms ourselves, and we know what an exhausting, draining and of course, rewarding, thing parenting can be.  We also know how expensive it can be, which is why we always strive to have the best products at the best prices.

Starting today, we have decided to take helping our customers to the next level, and that is where YOU come in!  ODIZ is looking for one deserving mom (or
dad, or grandparent, etc.) who is in need of supplies for their child, but doesn’t have the resources to get them.  We want to help that parent out by giving them a supply of bottles, pacifiers, and other baby necessities from our stock of high-end, reliable products.

We are asking that if you know a parent (or expecting parent) who is in need of, and deserves, a new supply of baby essentials, you send us a short description of that person and why they are worthy of winning our Super Mom Super Giveaway.  (Please keep your essay to 200 words or less).  You must email your submission to ncaron@odiz.biz by February 22, 2012.  We will then choose our top 3 candidates and allow our Facebook fans to vote on the most deserving person and our Super Mom will be announced on March 2, 2012.

Here are some of things that we will be considering when looking at our applicants.

• How does this person go above and beyond as a parent?
• How do they help others in their family/community/town/state, etc.?
• Why are they in need of the supplies?
• How would winning this contest help them?

Please include the nominees name and general location when submitting them to the contest.  Please also include a picture of the parent and their child if possible.

We are beyond thrilled to be able to do this for one very special person and we can’t wait to start receiving your submissions!

Here at ODIZ, we are always looking for the newest and best products to bring to our customers.  That being said, we also have very high standards. We like products that are high quality, safe, and made in the USA.  We like to find innovative products that help make the lives of parents easier, so when the kind people at Wrapeaze offered to let my daughter try their cozy fleece wrap, I was ecstatic!

Wrapeaze is a stylish, high quality, hooded wrap for all ages, but the product that really caught my eye was the poncho style wrap for little ones. It is designed to keep your child warm, without the hassle of fitting them into their car seat or stroller with the bulk of a jacket.  You can put it on your child with one hand, and don’t have to fight with sleeves and zippers – just a small piece of Velcro and your baby can be warm and unrestricted.

My daughter was given the Original Fleece Wrapeaze in Pink Argyle and I have to say, it is even cuter in person than in pictures.  She opened the package and wanted me to put it on her immediately.  She even walked around the house with the hood on for half of the day, which is fine with me because it is cold up here in CT!

Please excuse the picture quality.  That’s my little Bean’s supermodel pose

There are so many adorable prints available!  I love the gender neutral giraffe print and the camo for little guys.  I have to say, ALL of the designs are precious, but if you have an older daughter, the wraps with the rosettes are to die for!  I had a hard time choosing a favorite, so, we decided to ask you!  There are so many designs and styles, you can see them all here.

That’s right! Wrapeaze has offered to give one ODIZ fan their own wrap (a $34.99-$37.99 value!)!  Here’s how you can win!

You MUST be a fan of ODIZ Baby Supply on Facebook in order to win, so if you’re not already, head on over and “like” us.

Each of the following is worth one entry.  Please leave a separate comment for each of these that you complete.  The winner will be announced on or before Monday, January 30^th, 2012.  You have until 11:59pm on Friday, January 27^th, 2012 to enter.

• 1 entry – Visit www.wrapeaze.com and tell us your favorite design.
• 1 entry – Like Wrapeaze on Facebook.
• 1 entry – Follow @ODIZBaby on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway with a link to our blog.
• 1 entry – Share this giveaway on your Facebook page and tag @ODIZBabySupply and @Wrapeaze.
• 1 entry – Blog about this contest with links to Wrapeaze and ODIZ Baby Supply and leave a link in the comments below.

That’s a total of 5  possible entries!  Remember, you must leave a separate comment for each task that you complete!  Good luck and happy entering!!

This post was written by Nancy Caron for ODIZ Baby Supply.  Nancy was provided the product from Wrapeaze free of charge, however, Wrapeaze did not compensate her in any other way.  The opinions expressed in this post are solely those of Nancy Caron.

Every year I find myself making the same resolution…go to the gym.  And every year I take that on for a few weeks before deciding that I don’t have enough time, there’s too much to do, I don’t have a babysitter, etc., etc., etc.

This year I decided that while I still should be working on the whole exercise/eating healthy thing, I needed to sit down and think a little about my mental health too and I compiled this list of things that I personally think every mom should try to do.

1. Stop feeling so guilty.
I don’t know about you, but almost every mom I know, myself included, is constantly asking themselves “am I making my kids happy enough?”, “do my kids have all the stuff they want?”, “am I doing what my kids/my husband/my partner/my parents/etc. want?”.  Here’s the thing – we are one person with two hands and 24 hours in the day.  If we are doing our best, with love and good intentions, then that is probably enough.  It’s time to stop feeling guilty for things that are out of your control.  Our kids love us because we love them unconditionally and would give them the moon if we could.  This doesn’t mean that they need every toy/outfit/activity that they ask for.  Respond with your heart and they will be okay.

(The same goes for your husband – no hot meal on the table every night does not mean you don’t love them! Are you reading this, honey?)

2.  Stop worrying so much.

This is me. I am a constant worrier.  I want my kids wrapped in bubble wrap and in my arms at all times.  I don’t want them to scrape their knees, or have hurt feelings, or be exposed to the very sick and cruel things that are unfortunately happening all around them.  However, this is all part of growing up, and again, it is impossible to control everything.  Kids will fall, but they will get back up again.  They will be teased, probably do some teasing themselves, and they will grow up seeing and hearing things we wish they would never have to.  But it’s okay.  My kids know how much I love them and I do everything in my power to raise them in a safe and happy environment while preparing them for their lives as little people.  There isn’t much else I can do, and I need to remind myself often that they are strong, smart little things and that they will be just fine.

3.  Sleep a little more.

I know what you are thinking.  Yeah, right. Here’s the thing – it is so important for both your physical and your mental health that you give your body time to rest.  I know it may be impossible to nap, but if your little one(s) do, tell yourself that is okay to join them.  Did you know that sleeping with your child is not only an extremely effective way to bond, but there are new studies that say it’s actually good for child’s health?! It’s true!  So cuddle up! (Of course safety is the number one concern, so only do this if it is in a way that presents no dangers to your little one!) And if you can’t nap because your kids don’t or you work, then allow yourself to leave the chores for the weekend, or only do 1 load of laundry a night instead of 3, and go to bed early! Turn off the TV, get off the Internet, and power off your phone. Enjoy the silence, decompress, and get some rest!

This leads me to my next resolution…

4.  Ignore the mess!

I have a cousin-in-law who I love dearly and who I admire so much as a mom and a women, and she has a sign in her home that says “Please excuse the mess, my children are making memories.”. I LOVE it!  I’m not so sure my husband understands but I am not going to chase my kids around the house cleaning up everything they take out.  I love watching them use the couch cushions to make forts, and when they
dump all the blocks and start building cities I want to cheer!  These are budding imaginations at work!  These children are our future and I want them to think outside of the box.  I also want them to remember Mommy sitting on the floor doing puzzles with them, or making
art projects, or cuddling and watching a movie, not just Mommy doing dishes or vacuuming or on the computer.  I know this stuff has to get done, but not all at once and not all the time.  Who cares if the sink is full or the laundry basket is overflowing.  Let it go for an extra day and just enjoy!  Or, get your kids involved!  My son loves to help put the laundry away, or dry the dishes, sit next to me with his little computer
and “work” while I do.  And honestly, the toy bin will be dumped first thing tomorrow morning anyway.  It’s okay if you forget to fill it back up
tonight. 

And last, but certainly not least…
5.  Allow yourself some “me” time.

Anytime that I get invited to go out for dinner with a friend, or work an event that is out of town, or even take a few hours to shop with my girls, my first instinct is to say “I can’t.”. But why??  Well, because I feel guilty that I won’t be there to tuck my kids in to bed (see #1), and I worry that they will be sad or will get a booboo, or won’t be able to find their lovey and I won’t be there to help (see #2), or that the dishes won’t get done, the laundry won’t get folded, or the bathroom won’t get cleaned (see #4).  But I need to let it go.  Talking with my friends and having some adult time is so incredibly therapeutic for me!  They get it! They have kids, husbands, boyfriends, girlfriends, jobs, families, and
homes, and they understand.  It’s important to know that you aren’t alone in your stress, and that there are ways to deal with everything going on in your life while still enjoying it and having fun!  Take time to go get a manicure and listen to the silence.  Let someone pamper you!  Go to the grocery store and take the long way home so you can blast your favorite music!  (Heck, circle the block a few times!!). Go out to dinner, indulge yourself, and then go home, kiss your family, tell them you love them.
These are my new rules this year.  You know what they say “Happy wife, happy life.  Happy mom, happy home.” .

When you live in the North East, holiday gifts are even more important than you can imagine.  You see, after the New Year, you are pretty much guaranteed that you will have at least a dozen days when you will be stuck indoors, without the ability to leave for even five minutes, thanks to the snow gods.

Yes, you can go outside. If you have the energy to bundle everyone up, (20 minutes), only to be told that someone needs to use the bathroom (10 minute undress/redress), at which point you finally make it outside, when (5 minutes later) someone is cold and wants to go inside.  At this point, when you are sweating your butt off, and have created an entire load of laundry for five minutes of “play” you may be thinking never again.

I reiterate, holiday gifts are of extreme importance.  They need to keep your children happy, and occupied, for more than 5 minutes ALL WINTER LONG!  Therefore, I put a lot of thought into my purchases.  Today, I got one of my fabulous purchases in the mail, and as I was about to put them in my closet, I decided that my kids needed this new toy.  Today!

I got the Milliwik Splashimals Floating Playing Cards, and they are amazing!  I threw the kids in their bathing suits (I knew I wanted to blog about these cards – and to be honest, it makes it a little more exciting for them!) and poured extra bubbles in the bath and told them that they had a “present!”  (Squeals prevailed at this point!)

P, my little man who is almost 4, was beyond excited.  He kept asking me “Can I get these wet??”  At this point he was already in the bath, so um, yeah…  His first instinct was to find the matches to create animals.  (There are 30 cards that form 30 common animals and many, many more unique ones).  I actually thought it was pretty great that he was doing that because the cards split the word in half and this is a great way to work on phonics with my pre-reader.

See… “ze – bra”  (FYI I found this image from another mom’s review of these cards…thanks Google!)

When I told him it would be really funny to put a monkey’s head on a turtle’s heiny, he just about lost it.  He was quite the comedian coming up with different combinations and sharing them.  Combining the octopus’ bottom with any head produced many “ewwwws”!

We seriously spent about an hour in the bathroom, and even Bean, at 18 months, could not get enough of these cards.  The fact that they “magically” stick to the wall was enough to keep her interest.  She would gather them all up and then place them all around, take them
down, and repeat.

I seriously LOVE these cards.  They were so much fun and my kids got to spend an hour playing together, while learning and getting clean.  Does it get any better than that?!  Plus, the cards come in a mesh storage bag…perfect for drying out after you are done playing.  I am going to pack these for our upcoming trip to Aruba.  Sounds like fun in the kiddie pool!!

Milliwik has a few other varieties of cards and now I totally want to order more!  Check out these awesome sets.

These are super cool! It’s a real standard set of cards! I want a set of these to use at the beach next summer!  I don’t know why the tag says ages 2-11…it should say 2 – 111.  Who wouldn’t want to relax with friends in the hot tub, with a glass of wine, and a good card game!  (Am I aging myself??  Hey, when you have two kids following you around ALL the time, that is what a great night sounds like.)

Or these “Sum Bodies” floating cards.  (Hehe )  I like these because they come in three parts, so you can really create some hilarious combinations.

I kind of think the alien is cute with her little cupcake and ballet slippers.

So anyway, weather you will be stuck inside all winter long or not, I give these cards an A+ on the present meter, and at only $11-$13, these are the perfect stocking stuffer or gift topper.   After you check them out, come back and leave comment with your thoughts.  Do you love them as much as I do??

Published by Nancy Caron for ODIZ Baby Supply.

The opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the author.

We all know that “going green” is the “chic” thing these days.  Most of us recycle, some of us up-cycle, and even fewer of us make huge lifestyle changes to help protect the earth, like installing solar panels in our homes, or switching to electric cars.  Realistically, going green can
often be extremely costly, and although it sounds nice in theory, it isn’t always accessible.  The upfront cost of some of these projects is often way out of reach.

So, how about an option that not only helps you go green (without shelling out a ton of cash up front), but also saves you some green.

Cloth diapering is making a comeback in a big way.  I know…it sounds pretty awful.  But trust me, it’s really not that bad.  I used disposable diapers with my son, and at the time all of my friends used them as well. By the time that I was pregnant with my daughter, I had quite a few
friends using cloth diapers and raving about them.  I was still super hesitant…it seemed like a diaper service to clean them would be very expensive in my area, and I really wasn’t sure how I felt about all that poop in my washing machine.  I was also scared that I would do it
wrong.  It seemed kind of complicated!  I didn’t know if I needed inserts, or liners, or covers, or all-in-ones.  I didn’t know what a “wet bag” was, or where to get one.

There were so many brands, with so many types of diapers that I felt overwhelmed, so I stuck with disposables until my daughter was about 6 weeks old.  Out of nowhere, she came down with a terrible diaper rash.  The worst I had ever seen.  The poor kid cried uncontrollably every time that I changed her diaper.  I tried over the counter lotions, prescription lotions, I left her without a diaper whenever I could, I even skipped wipes as much as possible and used warm water on a wash cloth to clean her, but nothing helped.  I was desperate!  I had a gift
card from my shower that I still hadn’t spent, so I ordered two cloth diaper covers and a dozen inserts, and within a week her bottom was all cleared up and she was happy as clam.  As soon as she was feeling better, I ordered enough cloth diaper supplies so that she would
never have to wear a disposable again.

One of the best brands that I found was Bambino Mio.  The covers are soft and slim fitting, the inserts are pre-folded, and the brand sells everything that you need to cloth diaper, including nappy detergent, diaper pails, and birth to potty training sets that set you up for as long as you need diapers.

They also have super cute designs, and let’s be honest, that’s important too!

Check out these adorable covers in the Nappy Set (Small).

Cloth diapering is not for everyone, but the benefits are extremely appealing.  There are huge savings to consider, less diaper rash, reports that cloth diapers lead to earlier potty training, and of course, less waste filling up our landfills and harming our earth.

So, if cloth diapering is something you do, something you are considering, or something that you want to help a fellow mommy get started
with, check out the new Bambino Mio supplies that ODIZ Baby Supply is carrying.  And don’t forget to “like” our Facebook page for money saving coupons!

Published by Nancy Caron for ODIZ Baby Supply.

The opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the author.

When my son was 4 months old, I had to return to work for 8 weeks before becoming a stay-at-home-mom.  I am extremely blessed in the family department, and my parents were able to save all of their vacation days to stay with my little man during that time.  They were so wonderful about all of my first time mom neurosis and did everything I asked when it came to feeding little P.  My biggest concern was always how they warmed up the hundreds of bags of frozen breast milk that were taking over my freezer.

My first rule was always NO microwave!  I had done my reading and I knew that the microwave could leave hot spots in the baby’s bottle, and that it could destroy all of the nutrients that I was trying so hard to get into my baby’s tiny tummy.   I was also adamant that they not
use the bottle warmer.  This was right around the time that all of the information about BPA was coming out, and in addition to that worry, I still was super concerned with keeping the milk full of all of its natural nutrients.

Because they are so unbelievably wonderful, they listened to me, agreed with me, and warmed the bags of milk that I left them in little
glass bowls of warm tap water.  If you have ever tried this, it is painstakingly tedious.  You have to replace the water with fresh warm
water every 30 seconds or so, and it takes about 15 minutes to get the milk to about room temperature.  (15 minutes can feel like 15 hours when you have a hungry baby on your hands!)

Oh how I wish that when P was little the Kiinde Kozii was around!

The Kiinde Kozii is made specifically for warming breast milk!  The Kozii uses a water bath that is specifically designed to thaw breast milk safely in any type of bottle or bag.  Yes, a “bottle” warmer that can defrost your milk in its storage bag without destroying the nutrients or
exposing the bag (or bottle!) to dangerous steam or microwaves!  The Kozii uses water that is equivalent in temperature to warm tap water, but doesn’t compromise the speed of the defrosting.  Because the bag sits in a circulating bath, the milk is warmed evenly, without creating hot spots.

Another feature that amazes me is that when the Kozii timer goes off, the warming is stopped completely because the bath water is drained
into the reservoir.  So, if you put a bag of milk in, and then your baby has a blowout diaper, blowout tantrum, or any other kind of blowout, and you forget that you began warming the milk, it’s no problem!  The milk will still be safe, your house will still be safe, and your baby’s meal will be waiting for them.

I love the instructions that Kiinde provides on their website.

So simple!  Even you’re husband can do it!  (I kid, I kid!  I promise! )

So anyway, why am I telling you all about this amazing product???  Because ODIZ is about to start carrying them, and as one of our fabulous Facebook fans or blog readers, you are going to get a chance to grab one before anyone else!  Even better – you can get your hands on one
for a lot cheaper than anyone else!

ODIZ will begin selling the Kiinde Kozii to the public on December 1st, but between now and then, you can order one by calling us at 770-755-9086 or emailing Christine at admin@odiz.biz .  The Kiinde retails for between $70 .00 – $120.00, but with this special one week offer, you can grab it for $59.99!  Unfortunately for me, both of my children are past the bottle stage, but you can guarantee this will be going on my must have baby shower list!  Quantities are limited and this is not valid with any other offers or promotions. Remember, this deal is only good until December 1, 2011.
Happy Holiday Shopping! 

I used to have such a hard time sticking to a budget during the holidays.  I would always go overboard with my gift purchasing, and end up paying for it (literally!) for months after.  Since becoming a stay at home mom, I have found that it is possible to still get your family and friends wonderful holiday gifts without feeling overwhelmed by bills for months after.  Here are a few helpful tips I’ve found…

1. Most stores often coupon codes, especially around the holidays.  If you don’t have a coupon, find one!  You can usually find a good promotion by liking a company on Facebook, following them on Twitter, or signing up for their emails.  (ODIZ offers a new coupon
   code every month on their Facebook page, and even announces special deals on their wall!)
2. Buy functional gifts…especially for your little ones.  My kids’ stockings are always full, but mostly with things that I would buy anyway.  They love finding fun new utensils, cool new pacifiers, or even sippy cups in their stockings.  Especially if you plan a fun holiday
   breakfast.  I will usually make a sweet, gooey French toast casserole on Christmas Eve, let it soak overnight, and pop it in the oven when the kids wake up.  Then, when they open their stockings, I can quickly wash their new plates, cups and forks, and serve them their special breakfast. (I am digging the Gerber Graduates Humming Bird Tumbler for my daughter and the Cars 2 First Years Soft Spout Cup for my son.  And of course, anything from Constructive Eating is always a hit! 
3. Keep your eye out for sales, and then stock up!  Right now, ODIZ has the Sassy Float and Squirt Bathtime Pals on sale. These are such a fun stocking stuffer, and let’s face it, you can never have enough bath toys!  They are gender neutral and a great present topper for any little one in your life, any time of year.  Take advantage of the sale, and the coupon at www.facebook.com/ODIZBabySupply
   to really get a super deal! 
4. If you don’t see something that you are looking for, ask!  At ODIZ, you can always email Christine at admin@odiz.biz.  She is more than willing to help you find what you are looking for, or to recommend similar products that you will love just as much.  You may even find yourself spending less money than you anticipated!
5. Use a credit card to shop that offers you rewards.  While you are stocking up on replacement spouts for your sippy cups or bottles or when you are grabbing a pack of holiday pacifiers you could be earning points towards a gift card for your significant other or your best friend.  (Or hey, use it to treat yourself to that new dress you’ve been eyeing or a peppermint mocha while you shop )

The holidays can be super stressful, but remember, there is always a way to save and be smart about your shopping.  Look for special offers, take advantage of free shipping promotions, and don’t buy “fad” toys.  Stick with well made, quality products that your family will use for a long time!

Try to enjoy this time of year.  It is so easy to be overwhelmed and to lose track of what really matters.  Our kids are all growing up way too fast, and there is so much to be thankful for.  Think about it every day and keep it all in perspective.

Today, I am thankful for my amazing children who bring so much joy to my life.  I am going to finish typing this, and go cuddle them on the couch.  I’m going to tell them how blessed I am to have them and that I think they are the most special people in the entire world.  I am going to smell their sweet baby hair, kiss their soft cheeks, and try to memorize the feeling while I day dream about the looks on their face when they wake up on Christmas morning.  <3

Here are the official rules of our Halloween giveaway…

1.  You may post 1 picture per child.  You may post a picture of your child, your niece or nephew, your grandchild, your godchild, or even your belly dressed up for Halloween if your little one hasn’t arrived yet.  For every picture you post, you MUST have the permission of the child’s parent or guardian.

2.  All pictures must be posted to our wall by 11:59 pm on Sunday, October 30th.  Please post your pictures directly to the ODIZ Baby Supply Facebook wall and tag yourself and ODIZ in the picture.

3.  We will pick 5 finalist and re-post their pictures on Halloween.  At that point, anyone who is a fan of ODIZ, or who becomes a fan, may vote for their favorite little spook.

4.  On Tuesday, November 1st, at 11:59 pm, voting will end.

5.  A winner will be announced on Wednesday, November 2nd.  The winner will receive a MAM Welcome to the World Gift Set in their choice of color.

Please post any questions to our FB wall, or contact us at admin@odiz.biz.

Good luck and happy haunting!